A projectile fired from a gun has initial horizontal and vertical components of velocity equal to 30 m/s and 40 m/s, respectively.
-Determine the initial speed of the projectile.
A)40 m/s
B)50 m/s
C)60 m/s
D)70 m/s
E)80 m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The initial speed of the projectile can be found using the Pythagorean theorem:

initial speed = √(horizontal velocity² + vertical velocity²)
initial speed = √(30² + 40²)
initial speed = √(900 + 1600)
initial speed = √2500
initial speed = 50 m/s

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

A Projectile Fired from a Gun Has Initial Horizontal and Vertical